How do i use this hydrometer?

[maplerookie]

All right so I was at wendels maple and more in Concord New York.. drooling over all the stuff they have over there ro machines vacuum set ups cleaners filters leader evaporators, buckets ,taps the works I guess. anyway I bought a hydrometer and cup . My question is do I fill it right to the brim during testing? it has marked on the hydrometer hot test..and cold test..do I test the syrup hot or cold or in between?. I thought the idea was to continually test when you reach 215 degrees ...so can someone set me straight?

[CharlieVT]

All right so I was at wendels maple and more in Concord New York.. drooling over all the stuff they have over there ro machines vacuum set ups cleaners filters leader evaporators, buckets ,taps the works I guess. anyway I bought a hydrometer and cup . My question is do I fill it right to the brim during testing? it has marked on the hydrometer hot test..and cold test..do I test the syrup hot or cold or in between?. I thought the idea was to continually test when you reach 215 degrees ...so can someone set me straight?

I found this book to be very helpful when I started sugaring a few years ago:
https://www.leaderevaporator.com/p-120-north-american-maple-producers-manual-book.aspx

This PDF provides basic information regarding the hot and cold tests on the hydrometer. Your hydrometer should have come with a density/temperature chart. HTH
http://www.sugarbushsupplies.com/MapleSyrupHydrometer.pdf

[jmayerl]

Hot test line should be calibrated to 211, cold test should be
60. If it's any other temp then use a compensation chart. Read at the bottom of the miniscus.

[maplerookie]

nope no chart no directions no nothing just a glass hydrometer nicely wrapped up in paper . it does say hot test 211 and cold 60 and there are 3 red lines on it . it also says leader I did look at the two sites you recommended Charlie....now I have a good idea how to use it. thanks guys..

[CharlieVT]

nope no chart no directions no nothing just a glass hydrometer nicely wrapped up in paper . it does say hot test 211 and cold 60 and there are 3 red lines on it . it also says leader....

To answer one of your first questions, yeah, fill the hydrometer cup to the brim; it makes the hydrometer easier to read, less likely to rest on the bottom of the cup, and the greater the volume of syrup, the less likely it will cool enough to give you a false reading. Lower the hydrometer in slowly till it floats or hits bottom. Lots of hydrometers get cracked/broken by dropping 'em in a cup of light syrup and then the thing goes right to the bottom and "crack"..... Also, hang the hydrometer cup on the inside of the syrup pan or from one of the partitions so the cup is kept hot between uses. A cold cup will cool the syrup quickly giving you a false reading.

Here's another PDF, it has the chart and a little more 'splaination bout your hydrometer:

http://www.leaderevaporator.com/pdf_files/syrup-hydrometer.pdf

[jmayerl]

No, they don't come with directions because it's pretty simple, like I said, put in hot syrup for 211 or cold syrup for 60. You can find a compensation chart on this site bu using the search function or in the NAMSP manual.

[bill m]

There is a problem with hanging the test cup in the syrup pan. If there is any syrup in it at all it will crystalize from the heat and will give a false reading on your next test. Better to quickly fill and empty the cup 2 or 3 times to preheat it before taking your test. Also take the reading quickly. If you fill the test cup with 214 deg. syrup, set the scoop down, pick up the hydrometer and float it your syrup has all ready cooled down below 211. Don't forget to rinse out the test cup with hot water after you are done testing.

[Ski Bum]

Like Bill M said rinse test cup but also rinse and dry the hydrometer also. Had mine tested this year and was told that syrup build up on the hydrometer will alter the test. Good luck this year.

[CharlieVT]

There is a problem with hanging the test cup in the syrup pan. If there is any syrup in it at all it will crystalize from the heat and will give a false reading on your next test. Better to quickly fill and empty the cup 2 or 3 times to preheat it before taking your test. Also take the reading quickly. If you fill the test cup with 214 deg. syrup, set the scoop down, pick up the hydrometer and float it your syrup has all ready cooled down below 211. Don't forget to rinse out the test cup with hot water after you are done testing.

Hmmmm... never noticed crystalized syrup in my hydrometer cup. Maybe I'm checking too often. :lol: Over time, the outside of the cup can get niter built up on it but the inside is shiney new. YMMV (Your mileage may vary).

Addendum: I wash the cup and hydrometer between boils but not during boils. My boiling times are generally just a few hours, I suppose someone boiling long sessions would have different problems.

[maplerookie]

Thanks for all the helpful input. now I cant wait till tapping time. we have a couple of days here of warm weather. then it is supposed to get cold again.. maybe in a couple to three weeks and we will do some drillin

[adk1]

I have been reading my hydrometer too quickly giving me false readings. Like stated earlier,the hit test is calibrated at 211 and will take 30 seconds or so before it cools to that. Maybe long we if you preheat the cup. This year I am using a quick ready thermometer in the cup to tell me when they syrup in the cup is 211

[Ausable]

Bill - They are very easy to use as You have already been informed. Biggest trick is not breaking them - so work out your own system when using yours. I have a small plastic pail I rest mine in - when using - to protect it - the test cup is not a good place unless testing. Biggest thing of all - Use Your Syrup Hydrometer and You will make first rate maple syrup. If You decide not to use your syrup hydrometer ----- You will make poor quality maple syrup. I learned the hard way - lol - slow learner I guess. Have fun and make lots of good maple - Use Your Hydrometer! ---lol--- ---Mike----

[Maple Hill]

Its a good idea also to have an extra one on hand in case you break one. And also a hydrotherm is handy to double check your hydrometer,it can be used at any temp.

[maplerookie]

No need to worry Mike I plan to use it... first time I boiled sap I went according to temp. The almost syrup was thin, but tasted wonderful. Besides the cup and hydro were an investment that I don't plan to let sit idle. I have a beer hydro that I can test the sap with ..using a little conversion I guess.... Maplehill.. what is a hydrotherm? Bill

[Maple Hill]

No need to worry Mike I plan to use it... first time I boiled sap I went according to temp. The almost syrup was thin, but tasted wonderful. Besides the cup and hydro were an investment that I don't plan to let sit idle. I have a beer hydro that I can test the sap with ..using a little conversion I guess.... Maplehill.. what is a hydrotherm? Bill


A hydrotherm looks similar to a hydrometer but you can test syrup at any temperature with it. Maple supply dealers sell them.